Well look at that! Lesnar d. Couture by TKO at 3:06 in the 2nd. Definitive, impressive. No shenanigans. (Randy had to eat a whole lot of beating before the ref called it -- no question of a "premature stoppage" though!) Stayed with the game plan. Didn't do anything stupid.

Brock Lesnar is your new UFC Heavyweight Champion. I think the boy has finally found his calling!

"That's just a big sumonabitch, that's all there is to it."

Congratulations, Brockie!

(BTW, Sable is preggers. And did anybody else snicker about Brock having "Enter Sandman" as entrance music?)

Kenny Florian d. Joe Stevenson by rear naked choke at 4:02 in the first. Really good match. About equal amounts of standup & ground, but Florian more dominant on the ground.

Demian Maia d. Nate Quarry by rear naked choke at 2:11 in the first. Mostly ground game, with Maia more dominant throughout. Still a good outing for both.

Gabriel Gonzaga d. Josh Hendricks at 1:00 in the first, with one big straight right. All stand-up. Gonzaga was probably ahead all along, although it wasn't wildly lopsided.

Matt Brown (on 2 weeks' notice) d. Ryan Thomas at 0:56 in the second, with an armbar. Almost entirely on the ground, & interesting to watch.

(Why, yes -- we are running a bit ahead of schedule here.)

Dustin Hazelett d. Tamdan McCrory at 3:57 in the first by armbar. Particularly evil looking armbar too. (Hazelett had him positioned for it for a while, & when he got the opportunity, it was quick.) Should two young (22), lanky (6'1" & 6'4") guys be on the ground for that long? :-)

Jeremy Stephens d. Rafael Dos Anjos at 0:35 in the second, with a beautiful right uppercut straight up between Dos Anjos hands. Boosh.

Riley d. Gurgel by unanimous decision.

Bocek d. Robinson by rear naked choke at 3:15 of the third.

(I think that was everything, wasn't it?)

Good card, good fights. All really clear finishes, with only one decision among the bunch. I'm quite happy I decided to buy this.

Just got back from hooters watching the PPV and man, those matches may have been short for the most part but man, were they action-packed. Hansen9j is dead on, that's THE PPV you need to watch if you need any convincing to become a fan.

I got to the place about 30 min. after the supposed start of the PPV and already they were two matches from the main event. So I knew these matches weren't lasting too long. The crowd was jam-packed; you had to wait about 11/2 hrs. to get a table. The good thing was that there was no cover charge and we could watch the fights withour ordering anything, so we got to see the rest of the PPV uninterrupted. I would say that 90% of the crowd was pro-Couture, but after the main, they show a lot respect to Brock, if that matters. My thoughts (from what I got to see):

-Hazelett looked really good getting the armbar submission on McCrory. I definitely want to see more of his submission skills. The only thing I could without is having to listen to dumbasses in the restaurant mock his beard (which I'm sure was a tribute to Evan Tanner).

-The fight of the night was Stephens/Anjos. Really good back and forth between the two for the first two rounds. And then the sick right uppercut Stephens threw- OMG. I thought for a minute he was going to shout "OYUKEN!", it seemed like something from street fighter more than in real life. Probably the sickest knockout from a punch I have seen in the UFC.

-Florian made it look easy against Stevenson and that rear naked choke looked picture perfect. I know people are going to make BJ Penn the fave in the title fight, but I got to think that if Kenny comes out in that fight like he did in this one, combined with BJ's arrogance getting the better of him sometimes, makes him my choice to win the matchup.

-Seeing Anderson Silva in the crowd. Damn, he could even make wearing a pink sweater look badass!

-Yup, Lensar's for real. He had a good plan too, not rushing in and leaving any big openings or mistakes for Couture to take advantage of. The only thing was that it looked like Brock was getting tired in the second round and that shot by Randy to his right eye really cut him up for a bit there. But I can only see him improving his conditioning and defense with time and I think he'll be ready and then some for the inevetible rematch with Mir.

-

Originally posted by emma (BTW, Sable is preggers.)

Yeah, and she actually looks hot for once, too. Go figure.No offense, but I never saw what was so great about her looks, other than the two obivious things ;).

- They showed Riley/Gurgel & Bocek/Robinson after the main to fill in time, I guess. Riley/Gurgel was a really good match with a lot of striking and kicking. It also was the only one that I saw to go the distance. Bocek/Robinson was the only medicore match I saw and it was a bad way to end the night. Not that it was horrible, but it was totally one-sided. Bocek just had total control, especially on the ground (he really looked like he was going to end it in the first if he had five or ten more seconds) and Robinson looked almost like he didn't to be there. So much for him being a rising star.

Originally posted by supersalvadoran-The only thing was that it looked like Brock was getting tired in the second round and that shot by Randy to his right eye really cut him up for a bit there. But I can only see him improving his conditioning and defense with time and I think he'll be ready and then some for the inevitable rematch with Mir.

I noticed it before the end of the first round when he looked away for a moment and Randy almost caught him threw him down.

I agree he gotta up the conditioning a bit more to be in there more to go the distance with others who challenge him. He's got the tools to keep going if he can develop them right.

Originally posted by emmaJeremy Stephens d. Rafael Dos Anjos at 0:35 in the second, with a beautiful right uppercut straight up between Dos Anjos hands. Boosh.

That one by knock out was just SICK! He landed that punch and the whole bar "OHHHED".

The under card was HOT! I got into each fight now matter how long they lasted. It was a darn GREAT UFC 91. If you haven't seen it...GO WATCH IT! This sucker was loaded top to bottom with at least close to even, on paper and in the octagon, matches.

I completely agree that the undercard was absolutely nuts. The Main Event, however, was a complete farce. On the slo-mo replay, the punch that floored Randy wasn't anywhere near close to anywhere that should have dropped anyone. Randy is 6'2". Brock is 6'3". It is physically impossible to get the kind of leverage on a punch to the back of the head, from a standing position, to knock someone (anyone) loopy. Total DIVE. The subsequent "hammer fists from hell" were a joke. I've seen renaissance festival workers churn butter harder than Brock was hitting Randy on the ground. I apologize for being a complete conspiracy theorist, but seeing Dana and Randy smiling at each other after the fight made me want to vomit.

IMO, and crucify me if you believe differently, Randy needed an out from his contract. The man hadn't defended his title in a year, but yet still held it. Apparently the whole falling out with Dana was water under the bridge after the contact was signed. Brock is the obvious choice to hold the heavyweight title in the world of competition between MMA promotions. He has the most name recognition and he looks like a complete monster in the octagon. That being said, Couture had several opportunities to control the match which were not taken advantage of. Specifically, when he had Lesnar by the leg and went to throw him to the ground, It looked more like an old-school WWF sell that his opponent was too heavy to lift up. But yet Couture had a very easy time of pinning the much larger Lesnar against the cage.

Maybe I'm just bitter, but I turned away from boxing because of things like this. MMA seemed legit and now that I see the promoter has such a large role, I don't buy it anymore. I know the setup is for the winner of Nogueira/Mir to get the title fight, but I can't wait for Gonzaga to knock Lesnar's overrated head clean off of his shoulders. This is the worst, and least well-hidden thing I have seen in professional sports in a long time.

Originally posted by KidbrooklynI completely agree that the undercard was absolutely nuts. The Main Event, however, was a complete farce. On the slo-mo replay, the punch that floored Randy wasn't anywhere near close to anywhere that should have dropped anyone. Randy is 6'2". Brock is 6'3". It is physically impossible to get the kind of leverage on a punch to the back of the head, from a standing position, to knock someone (anyone) loopy. Total DIVE. The subsequent "hammer fists from hell" were a joke. I've seen renaissance festival workers churn butter harder than Brock was hitting Randy on the ground. I apologize for being a complete conspiracy theorist, but seeing Dana and Randy smiling at each other after the fight made me want to vomit.

I'm breaking my two post rule but for good cause because I did notice the shot your talking about. If you catch the after interview on UFC.TV Randy said it was just a "missed zig when he should've zagged".

I'm to new to the product to side with you on your arguement but that thought did slip into my mind because the camera angle on the shot didn't show exactly how hit hit him but once again, UFC.TV, points out it was behind the ear.

Originally posted by UFC.TVAfter they broke, a right hand behind the ear dropped Couture, and Lesnar immediately pounced, landing a series of hammerfists to the head that forced referee Mario Yamasaki to halt the bout at 3:07 of the second round.UFC.TV Article

Which to me would explain the totally wide and far away look when he went in pounding him. The punching did look a little soft but then again I come from a time when it was all about the blood. The VHS tape I rented had enough blood on it to make the Red Cross workers salivate.

Anyways...all I can say is there were a few shocked people at the Hooters I was at.

***EDIT***

After a second look Randy went forward and was off balance when Brock NAILED him with that hit that took him down.

Yeah and Lesnar totally bladed in order to draw the blood above the eye!

First PPV I'd seen in a long time, those things pack every Hooters/BWW in the area. We tried going a couple months back and couldn't find anywhere to sit. Seeing Lesnar again was great, I really miss him from his rasslin' days. I think any "true MMA fan" that would be bummed about someone like Lesnar coming in and taking the belt so soon will probably take some winning-over. But it keeps me, the casual/pro wrestling fan, interested and I know I'll be coming back for more. And seeing pregnant Sable was a pretty good "oh shit" moment for all of us watching at my friend's house.

Kidbrooklyn, no offense but all you needed to see to show that the beatdown was for real was Couture sitting on the couch about 15 mins. after the fight (right after they showed Brock leaving for the press conference, I think). His face was totally swollen and bruised and there's (IMO) no makeup artist that good enough to make his face look like crap that fast. Those hammerfists may not looked like much, but those were many and all legit. Besides, after all this time of Dana, Brock, and others making a point to say that this wasn't the WWE, you really think they would try to do something contraversial like throw the fight and end up having UFC compared to WWE? I highly doubt so.

This is the best card I can remember watching live. Every fight delivered something exciting.

Kenny Florian was absolutely great. He straight up demolished Joe Stevenson where I expected it to go to a decision. This turns the eventual fight with BJ Penn from a solid main event to a dream match for me. On a slower night, Florian's picture perfect transitions and RNC would have gotten sub of the night.

The highlight with the most replays for us last night was that crazy uppercut by Jeremy Stephens. Another entry in the 'eternally on highlight reels' club.

Anybody thinking Couture took a fall has never been punched in the head with 1" gloves before. Now I'm hoping that Mir beats Nog because I really want to see Nog/Couture. Mir/Lesnar will be interesting to see again after a year of incredible improvements on Lesnar's part. But, if it goes the other way, and we end up with Nog/Lesnar and Mir/Couture, I won't be complaining.

Lloyd: When I met Mary, I got that old fashioned romantic feeling, where I'd do anything to bone her.Harry: That's a special feeling.

Yeah, they must have replayed that uppercut like 10 times, and it never once got old for me.

The whole night was awesome, starting with Matt "The Immortal" Brown winning, to somebody actually willing to come right out and challenge BJ Penn. I hate Penn, so the sooner Florian can fight him, the better.

Lesnar will have no shot against Nog, but I would see him beating Mir, so come December, I have to root for Mir, even though Nog is the nicest dude on the planet.

Everyone doubted Dustin in the prediction thread and I have no idea why. Yeah Kos stopped him, but that was after Dustin got cocky because he almost KO'd Kos in the first 10 seconds with a viciously awkward headkick.

But after that, Hazelett has owned.

Good night of fights, great night of jujitsu.

Except you Gurgel. But you always bore the crap out of me while Rogan sounds disappointed anyway.

Styles make fights. Nogueira is the best submission artist MMA has ever seen. His standup is excellent, and he moves like a pro boxer. Maybe most importantly, he has taken some of the worst beatings in MMA and still come out on top. He's taken shots from the best strikers in the business and not gone down. Most attempts at ground and pound end in armbars. You make one mistake on the ground and Nog is going to make you pay. If not for Fedor, he would be the most dominant fighter in MMA history. And Fedor (or anybody else for that matter) couldn't even finish him.

Lesnar should be considered a huge underdog against Nog. Couture is good, but he was still a 16-8 fighter coming into the Lesnar fight. Nog's record is 31-4, only one loss in 8 years to a guy not named Fedor, and 20 of those wins via submission.

Thinking about this fight just now has made me want to see it even more than Couture/Nog, so I'm not longer half-heartedly rooting for Mir to win next month. C'mon Lesnar/Nogueira! I hope Lesnar trims down a bit because I'd love to see this go 5 rounds.

Lloyd: When I met Mary, I got that old fashioned romantic feeling, where I'd do anything to bone her.Harry: That's a special feeling.

Originally posted by samoflangeStyles make fights. Nogueira is the best submission artist MMA has ever seen. His standup is excellent, and he moves like a pro boxer. Maybe most importantly, he has taken some of the worst beatings in MMA and still come out on top. He's taken shots from the best strikers in the business and not gone down. Most attempts at ground and pound end in armbars. You make one mistake on the ground and Nog is going to make you pay. If not for Fedor, he would be the most dominant fighter in MMA history. And Fedor (or anybody else for that matter) couldn't even finish him.

Lesnar should be considered a huge underdog against Nog. Couture is good, but he was still a 16-8 fighter coming into the Lesnar fight. Nog's record is 31-4, only one loss in 8 years to a guy not named Fedor, and 20 of those wins via submission.

Thinking about this fight just now has made me want to see it even more than Couture/Nog, so I'm not longer half-heartedly rooting for Mir to win next month. C'mon Lesnar/Nogueira! I hope Lesnar trims down a bit because I'd love to see this go 5 rounds.

Nogueira also has not looked nearly the same in UFC as he did in Pride, likely due to age and the unreal punishment he's endured over the years. He has fought two fights. One was against Heith Herring (the same Herring that Lesnar completely dominated), and he almost got knocked out in the first round (and was only so-so the rest of the fight; better than Herring, but not GOOD or anything). The other was against Tim Sylvia, who owned him for the first two rounds, blocking all takedowns (and if you can't take down Sylvia, you CAN'T take down Lesnar), until Nog finally had one takedown blocked into Sylvia landing on top of Nog (which Nog was able to turn into a tap out, because, well, he's still Nog).

I guess what I'm saying is that Nog still should be the favorite, and I still expect him to beat Mir and probably Lesnar, but Lesnar absolutely CAN beat him. (I'm not so sure about Mir. :P)

It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects.

All your points about Nog's recent performances are spot on. However, Nog's never been a takedown guy. He's a BJJ guy. You take him down and you end up in his guard which is the most dangerous place you can be with Nogueira. Trying to break this fight down is a lot of fun. I'd love to be at some of the game planning meetings both guys have with their coaches (provided the fight happens).

Lloyd: When I met Mary, I got that old fashioned romantic feeling, where I'd do anything to bone her.Harry: That's a special feeling.